Immokalee

Hi Val May I ask what your business is and if you had family members already in France? It's interesting reading the various posts and news from friends of those who are going to try their hand in France and those who are coming home.  I think the overall picture is that it doesn't matter which country you pick to make the move the variables are always the same and many people find out that no matter what they were hoping for, ho whard they try, or what they were running away from, the grass isn't very often greener on the other side.

A bit like the Florida market........too many houses on the market from owners unable to keep up the mortgage and not enough buyers..... been there done that and thankfully got out at the right time. I do think that France will become even more attractive especially considering air fares and distance.  I for one would rather do the drive that take a long haul flight and I know the numbers feeling that way are growing

Moya, your posting is very encouraging.  Benjamin, I think I did say in a previous post that it was the owner who told us. I've been busy beavering away today and have had a reply from an immobilier I met some months ago. She doesn't have an active interest in this as it is an owner sale.  She tells me as far as she is aware it is a temporary site for mainly Eastern European workers to hook up to toilets and shower.  I have to say the site did look clean and litter free. Washing on the line but no people about.  Yes, it is a great property, ticks all the boxes bar one.  Its difficult to make a decision. Here in the UK we bought a dream home 17 years ago with land renovated it and had an wonderful life. 3 years ago a private hospital was built 50 yards from us with 75 beds for those detailed under the mental health act. It came as agreat culture shock but we are learning to live with it ...... and yes, it houses some less desireables!  That said I don't want to run into a similar situation in France!

OK, the site looked to be maybe 6 - 8 caravans.  Its a small concreted hardstanding area complete with washing on the line!  It did look tidy and we didn;t see rubbish around.  To answer the questions - there is an elderly couple just 20 mts away in a house this is the only other property and no we will not be living there so will go for periods being empty as we want a lock and leave . Ali-Cat your frineds story sounds horrendous and pinpoints the difficulty we have - if the same were refelected in France then it would be a firm no....... all I have to do now is find out if it is.

I keep reminding myself that you have no guarantees what your neighbours will be like where ever you buy property.  You could have the grandest home in the town and a neighbour from hell (don't know if I'm trying to convince myself here!)  I think I will contact the local Town Hall and make some enquiries. Ali-cat, can I ask what your friends experience was, was it concerning gypsies?

As I am new to this forum I'd like to say a big thank you for your comments. I know 2kms isn't that near and there are nearer neighbours to the site - it's very difficult to know what to do for best but you've all given us food for thought.  

Thank you all for the feedback. To fill you in further the site looks to be a small static site but I take the comment that this could swell. The barn is in the Loire region and the site is approx 2kms from the barn but there are no immediate neighbours to gauge the subject. It is the owner who has told us. Having said that he does not live there and has relied on another local who lives 1km from the site.  That siad again its third hand resay. 

We have looked at a barn for sale. Everything looks perfect except for one thing.... there is a small gypsy site not far from the barn. I am informed that this should not be an issue like it is in the UK. I would appreciate any comments as I am completely in the dark with this.